Critical Reflection on Briefing Papers 1

CRITICAL REFLECTION ON BRIEFING PAPERS

Course

Professor

Institution

Institution Location

Date
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Context

Although the introduction of the briefing essay starts well by stating the purpose, much

would be provided regarding the background information about the rape to the victim group,

who are the women. In many societies throughout history, women have been seen as the property

of men and have been subject to various forms of control and abuse, while in others, rape has

been used as a tool of war to demoralise and subjugate enemy populations. The briefing essay

did not utilise personal stories and examples, which would have helped in making the

information more relatable and easier for readers to understand. Personal stories and examples

can help to make the information more relatable and easier for readers to understand and assist

victims in feeling like they are not alone and that others have gone through similar experiences

(Coleman, 2021). They also have a powerful emotional impact on readers and can help to drive

home the importance of the issue being discussed together with engaging readers and making

information more interesting to the victims of rape and professionals.

Victims of rape may benefit from hearing relatable personal experiences in a briefing

because it can help them feel understood and supported. Hearing about the experiences of others

who have gone through similar challenges can help victims feel less alone and isolated and

provide hope that recovery and healing are possible. Personal experiences can also help victims

feel more connected to the material being presented, which can increase their engagement and

motivation to seek help and support, together with breaking down stigma and encouraging more

open and honest discussions about rape, thereby creating a more supportive and understanding

environment for victims of rape (Lonsway and Archambault, 2021).

Target Population
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The briefing essay incorporates detailed research about women as the victims of domestic

violence, but it does not address the specific population. It was important for this briefing essay

to address a specific population because it helps to focus the content of the essay and ensure that

it is relevant and useful to the intended audience. A briefing essay is typically used to provide

information about a particular issue or subject in a concise and summarised format. The essay

can be tailored to meet a specific population’s specific needs and interests (Lewis, 2022). This

can make the essay more effective in communicating the key points and recommendations and

can also increase its relevance and usefulness to the intended audience. For example, the briefing

essay was intended “to provide support to women victims of rape by enlightening them on the

benefits and process of reporting their abusers.” it may be helpful to focus on the implications of

the issue of creating awareness and how it affects the specific population or the victim of rape.

Suppose the briefing essay was intended for a community group in the United Kingdom, such as

Black, Asian and ethnic minorities (BAME). In that case, it might be helpful to focus on the

specific concerns and needs of that community and how the issue affects them. By addressing a

specific population, the briefing essay can be more targeted and effective in its messaging and

better serve its intended audience’s needs (Lewis, 2022).

Based on the statistics provided in the essay paper, “The study revealed that 12.8% of

American women had experienced forceful rape in their lifetime”... The proportion translates to

14.6 million American women who have fallen victim to sexual assaults” it is an indication that

the briefing was not specific and did not have a target population. The briefing should have, for

example, addressed White women or women from the BAME communities in the United

Kingdom, like Africans. Therefore, recognising women from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic

(BAME) communities in the UK who may face additional barriers and challenges in seeking
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help and support after experiencing rape. Research has shown that BAME women may be more

likely to face stigma and discrimination when seeking help and may be less likely to report the

crime to the authorities (Middlesex University, 2021). This can be due to a variety of factors,

including language barriers, cultural or religious beliefs, and fear of negative consequences from

their community or family. Providing a target population helps professionals, service providers,

and policymakers to be aware of these challenges and to take steps to address them. This could

include providing support and resources in different languages, working with community

organisations and leaders to raise awareness and understanding of the issue, and taking a

culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approach to supporting victims. By addressing these

issues and providing targeted support, we can help ensure that all women, including those in

BAME communities, can access the help and support they need before or after experiencing

rape.

Imagery and Visuals

The briefing essay to both the victims and professionals did not have the imagery or

visuals needed by the audience or victims of rape, who may require more of them in addition to

the essay (Policy Birmingham, 2020). Visuals and imagery would have been more effective at

engaging and captivating the audience (victims of rape and professionals). In a briefing paper, it

is essential to convey the key points and recommendations clearly and concisely. Using visuals

and imagery can help illustrate the points made and make the information more memorable and

impactful. Visuals and imagery would have helped personalise the issue and make it more

relatable to the audience. A briefing essay about the victims of rape may include statistics and

other data to illustrate the scope and impact of the issue. However, by including personal stories

and images of survivors, the essay can provide a more human and emotional connection to the
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issue. This can help to increase empathy and understanding among the audience and can also

help to create a sense of urgency and importance around the issue (Wulf, 2022).

Images can be a powerful tool in a briefing paper as they can help to illustrate and clarify

complex or abstract ideas and make the information more engaging and memorable for the

audience. They can also help to break up long blocks of text and make the paper more visually

appealing.

Nevertheless, it is essential to use images wisely in a briefing paper. They should be

relevant and appropriate for the audience and should not be used simply to fill space or distract

from a lack of content. They should also be of high quality and clear enough to be understood

easily. Using images in a briefing paper can also have potential drawbacks. For example, if the

images are poorly chosen or presented, they may need to be clarified or clarified for the

audience. Additionally, using too many images can make the paper more manageable and

distract from the main points of the briefing. The impact of images in a briefing paper depends

on how they are used and how they contribute to the overall message of the paper. When used

effectively, they can enhance the impact and effectiveness of the briefing paper, but when used

poorly, they can detract from the message and impact of the paper.

Lastly, incorporating visuals and imagery would have helped in conveying complex or

abstract ideas in a more accessible and understandable way. For example, since the briefing

essay was about the victims of rape may include information about the social and cultural factors

that contribute to the perpetuation of rape and other forms of violence against women. By using

visuals and imagery to illustrate these factors, the essay can provide a more concrete visual

representation of the concepts being discussed, which can be more effective at communicating

the key points to the audience.

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Revising and Reviewing

Upon finishing the paper, I should have reviewed and revised it to ensure that it was

clear, concise, and well-organised. In reviewing and revising, clarity and conciseness are looked

into to ensure the information in the briefing paper is presented in a clear and concise manner.

The use of bullet points or numbered lists to organise the information and make it easier to read

is also reviewed. Reviewing the information in the briefing paper to ensure that it is relevant to

the intended audience and up-to-date. For example, the references provided to the statistics or

research studies used ought to be current and reliable. Review and revise the headings and

subheadings to confirm whether they break up the text so as to make it easier to scan.

Considering getting feedback from colleagues or other professionals to ensure that the paper is

effective and accessible to the intended audience is vital as well. Colleagues or professionals

who are familiar with the subject matter and the audience can provide valuable insights and

suggestions for improving the clarity, relevance, and impact of the briefing paper. They may be

able to identify areas that need further explanation or clarification and suggest ways to make the

information more engaging and accessible to the audience. Additionally, getting feedback can

help to identify any potential biases or assumptions that may be present in my briefing paper and

allow me to address them before it is distributed to the audience. Overall, seeking feedback from

others can improve the effectiveness and impact of the briefing paper and ensure that it is well-

received by the intended audience. Feedback identifies any areas of the paper that may be less

effective and can help to make the paper more persuasive and engaging or add credibility to the

paper and can help to make it more trustworthy and believable.

Bullets and Numbers

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Using bullet points and numbered lists in the briefing essay would have been an effective

way to present information in a clear and organised manner. Bullet points are an excellent way to

present a list of items that are not necessarily in a particular order. For example, I could have

used bullet points to list the benefits of reporting rape, such as;

 Helps to reduce the prevalence rate of rape

 Protects other people from falling victim in the future

 Helps to reduce cases of victimisation of rape victims

 Improves the lives of victims by supporting them to overcome the trauma of the

experience

Breaking the information into shorter, discrete chunks, bullets, and numbered lists make the

information easier to scan and understand, particularly for the victims of rape and professionals

who may not have the time or attention span to read through long blocks of text. In addition,

bullets and numbers would have helped to visually break up the paper and make it more

appealing to the eye. By using bullets or numbered lists, you can create white space and visual

interest in the paper, which can make it more visually appealing and easier to read.

Language

The language used in the paper should have also played a critical part in addressing victims

and professionals. The language used in a briefing paper is important because it can affect how

well the audience understands and retains the information. The paper ought to have employed

clear and concise language while minimising the jargon or overly technical language that might

be confusing or off-putting to the audience (Stanford University, 2019). The grammar should be

clear and concise that is easy to understand. The words used should have been much simpler and

familiar to the audience rather than complex or technical terms. The essay used what I would
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prefer as jargon sentences, such as “Researchers acknowledged the trends.”…” As a result, they

decided to perform studies to identify reasons for the low reports.”. These sentences might

connect with the purpose of the briefing.

Such sentences can impede the understanding of information by the target audience if they

are not familiar with the technical language or specific terminology being used. This can be

particularly true if the target audience is from a different industry or field than the speaker or

writer or if the language used is not commonly understood. Using jargon can also make the

conveyed information seem exclusive or inaccessible, discouraging the audience from engaging

with the material. It can also make the information seem less relatable or relevant to the

audience, reducing its impact or effectiveness. Hence, for the information to be conveyed

understandably and effectively as received by the target audience, it is vital to use clear and

straightforward language while connecting sentences intelligibly to avoid using technical terms

or jargon unless necessary for the topic being discussed.

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References

Coleman, B., 2021. How to write a creative brief in 11 simple steps [examples + template],
HubSpot Blog. HubSpot. Available at: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/creative-brief
(Accessed: January 8, 2023).

Lewis, M.R., 2022. How to write a briefing paper (with pictures), wikiHow. wikiHow. Available
at: https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Briefing-Paper (Accessed: January 8, 2023).

Lonsway, K.A. and Archambault, J. ,2021. Evawi – End Violence Against Women International.
Available at: https://evawintl.org/wp-content/uploads/Module-5_Victim-Interview.pdf
(Accessed: January 8, 2023).

Middlesex University, 2021. Home. Available at: https://www.mdx.ac.uk/news/2021/01/bame-

criminal-justice-system (Accessed: January 8, 2023).

Policy Birmingham, 2020. How to write an effective briefing note, Policy Birmingham.
Available at: https://blog.bham.ac.uk/publicaffairs/how-to-write-an-effective-briefing-note/
(Accessed: January 8, 2023).

Stanford University, 2019. The power of language: How words shape people, culture, Stanford
News. Available at: https://news.stanford.edu/2019/08/22/the-power-of-language-how-
words-shape-people-culture/ (Accessed: January 8, 2023).

Wulf, C., 2022. The importance of visual content, Squarelovin Blog -. Available at:
https://blog.squarelovin.com/the-importance-of-visual-content/ (Accessed: January 8,
2023).